The Association Between Engagement in Activities of Daily Living and Care Interactions for Residents Living With Dementia

Abstract

Background: Care interactions are essential to residents with dementia.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to describe the characteristics and quality of staff-resident care interactions among nursing home residents living with dementia and to test whether the quality of staff-resident care interactions varied by resident level of engagement in the interaction. Specifically, it was hypothesized that controlling for age, gender, comorbidities, cognition, and function, actively engaged residents would have more positive care interactions with staff compared with passively engaged residents.

Methods: This was a secondary data analysis using baseline data from the Evidence Integration Triangle for Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia intervention study.

Results: A total of 532 residents were included. Actively engaged residents had significantly more positive interactions compared to passively engaged residents.

Conclusions: Passively engaged residents may be at risk to receive poor quality care interactions. Strategies and interventions to optimize care interactions for these individuals are needed.